Better Yet

Only a few years since emerging as a notable singer, mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kozená hasn't stopped enchanting her audience. It is, after all, a rare pleasure to experience this unique voice with its warm and elegant timbre. Some of its aspects are apparent in her preceding recital, an unusual–and unusually beautiful program of Czech love songs. With this account of Handel's Italian Cantatas, Kozená confirms the immense scope of her gifts.

Jim Croce - 24 karat Gold In A Bottle (1972-73) {DCC Compact Classics ‎GZS-1060 rel 1994}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 392 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 156 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 59 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1972-73, 1994 Saja Music / DCC Compact Classics ‎| GZS-1060
Pop/Rock / Folk / Blues / Singer/Songwriter / Soft Rock / AM Pop / Contemporary Pop/Rock

These aren't exactly Jim Croce's greatest hits, although most of them–"Operator", "Time In a Bottle", "Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown," and "I'll Have to Say I Love You In a Song" among others–are here. More specifically, 24 CARAT includes the complete YOU DON'T MESS AROUND WITH JIM album, plus the best cuts from LIFE AND TIMES and I GOT A NAME. Better yet, everything's been beautifully remastered in typical DCC fashion, which means that the lower frequencies seem more burnished than ever. The overall clarity is remarkable, and particularly works to the advantage of Croce's signature sound of two finger-picked acoustic guitars playing harmony lines.

It goes without saying that any David Byrne solo release will be all over the sonic map, and true to form, Look Into the Eyeball provides a pancultural stew of musical styles, exotic rhythms, and international guest stars…

Rich, smooth, creamy, and very, very warm, Renée Fleming's soprano pours all over the music of George Frideric Handel like melting chocolate. From the voluptuous Oh sleep, why dost thou leave me through the luxurious Endless pleasure to the opulent Calm thou my soul, Fleming's voice fulfills the heart and soul of Handel's music. Better yet, Fleming sounds like she really means it. Each aria has its own emotional character and each aria has its own musical personality.

Osanna - Rosso Rock - Live In Japan (2012) {Afrakà CDRG-2212}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 270 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 103 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 66 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2012 Afrakà | CDRG-2212
Rock / Progressive Rock

The tale of the Italian progressive rock band Osanna is long and storied but perhaps the most important factor is that through thick and thin they are still with us. Today the band is made up of Lino Vairetti (vocals), Gennaro Barba (drums), Irvin Vairetti (keyboards and vocals), Sasà Priore (keyboards), Pasquale Capobianco (guitar), and Nello D'Anna (bass). It is this line-up that we hear performing from a 2011 concert recorded in Japan. If you are a fan of the classic Italian symphonic style this is a disc that will be right up your alley. Better yet if you like live performances.

Produced by Evans' former employer Ry Cooder, Blues for Thought often sounds like a Cooder album with a great singer. Better yet, Cooder has retained the services of some A-list studio cats, but manages to make them sound like drunken denizens of a Mississippi roadhouse. With the legendary Jim Keltner leading the way with his powerhouse thwacka-thwacka, and Cooder laying down his usual ultra-soulful licks, Evans and company groove mightily though a collection of first-rate material, including blues classics and Evans originals that sound like classics. Highlights are numerous, but one is the second song, "Hey Mama, Keep You Big Mouth Shut," which is almost assuredly the only version of a Bo Diddley tune to feature an oud…